Kevin Gameiro has dismissed talk of him being Atletico Madrid’s second choice to Diego Costa. “The most important thing is that I’m here.”
Over 7,000 Atleti fans were in attendance at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday to witness Gameiro’s unveiling, the striker having completed his €37m switch from Sevilla 24 hours earlier, and he insisted the shadow of Costa did not faze him as the Chelsea man continues to be linked with a return.
“I want to say thank you to the President and all the fans who are here for my presentation. I know we’ll do great things together. I’m here to win trophies,” he began.
“I haven’t spoken to [Antoine Griezmann]. I’m going to meet the group when they return from Australia. I know I’ll adapt very quickly.
“In my head, it was Atletico from the start and I think I can do great things here. I’ve signed for four years and they will surely be good ones.
“[Diego Simeone] showed me that he wanted me in his team. I know my quality, I score goals and I think I can adapt very quickly to this team.
“I play with good speed in front of the goal and I’m very comfortable with [Simeone’s demands]. I’ll talk to the Coach when he returns from Australia.
“I like his mentality. He wants to win every game, you see it when he’s in the dugout, and I like that.
“I’m very excited. I’m at a great club, like I said. We’ll play in the Champions League and hopefully win a trophy. It’s a new challenge for me and I hope it goes well.
“No [on feeling pressured]. When you’re at a club, there is pressure, but for me it’s good pressure and, when I’m on the pitch, it’s all good. I’ll score a lot of goals here.
“[On Costa], the most important thing is that I’m here and at a club who have chosen me. I’ll give everything to win games for the team and the fans.”
